See below Andy Newton’s horse racing predictions for the main ITV Racing action this Saturday – with cracking National Hunt fixtures coming from Newbury and Newcastle.
Horse Racing Predictions at Newbury: Trainer Jamie Snowden Eyes Repeat Coral Gold Cup Win on Saturday
1.54 Newbury: Coral “Daily Rewards Shaker” Handicap Hurdle (Gbb Race) Cl2 (4yo+ 0-145) 2m4½f ITV
Another tricky race to unravel, with several chances, but it could pay to note that in the last eight runnings we’ve seen the Dan Skelton, Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls yards all win this twice each – they all have runners again.
Skelton has Lac De Constance, while the other two are mob-handed.
Nicholls runs Inthewaterside and Ivaldi, while Hendo has Gentle Slopes, No Ordinary Joe, Impose Toi and Spring Note.
Of that bunch, Impose Toi will be popular with solid form in the book and despite coming third, ran well as favourite in the Lanzarote Hurdle when last seen (Jan 23).
However, I just feel the Nicholls runner INTHEWATERSIDE looks the more solid and comes here having had a wind op over the summer.
He’s won four of his seven career starts so knows where the winning line is, plus the form of his third last time at Aintree looks solid (watch below) with the winner Kateria going in again only this week at Kempton.
The other of interest is SPRING NOTE. This Henderson mare seems to have developed a love affair with Newbury – winning all three starts at the Berkshire track, which included beating the useful Brentford Hope there back in March.
She loves soft ground too and even though the longer trip is a small worry, she has won over 2m 3 1/2f in the past – while the Henderson yard are also in decent order at the moment. David Bass takes the ride.
2:25 Newbury: Coral Racing Club Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Reg’ As The Gerry Feilden) (Premier Handicap) (GBB) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m½f ITV
Super competitive renewal here, with cases to be made for pretty much all the 13 runners.
All eyes will be on the Nicky Henderson-trained Jeriko Du Reponet after his antics at Sandown over fences earlier this month – but is back over hurdles here in a bid to restore some confidence. He’ll have a big chance on his best form but it’s hard to back him with any confidence after last time.
That said, Henderson does love this race – winning seven of the last 18. So, maybe his other runner in the field – ASTON MARTINI can hit top gear (sorry). Joking aside, this 5 year-old mare has a leading chance after a fair second on her first run back at Bangor two weeks ago.
She looked to have the race in the bag until jinking at the final hurdle, which is a small worry – but the drop back from 2m 3 1/2f to 2m will suit and with just four career runs (2 wins) over hurdles should have more to come.
Hendo has also won this race twice since 2019 with mares – Floressa and Epatante.
Jane Williams Entry Catches The Eye
The other of interest is EXCELERO, who has only had four runs over hurdles – but shown up well each time. This Jane Williams-trained 4 year-old was 4th (of 7) to the classy Sir Gino at Cheltenham back on Trials Day and backed that up with an easy win at Market Rasen in March.
He probably didn’t enjoy the good ground last time when third at Kempton in May – but the form of that run has since been franked by the winner Ryan’s Rocket, who won only last week.
This horse racing prediction also ran the Triumph Hurdle third Salver (also running here) to 2 3/4 lengths on debut at Warwick of level weights – but is getting a massive 23lbs off that horse this time.
3:00 Newbury: Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m2f ITV
Trainer Jamie Snowden will be looking to become the first back-to-back winning trainer of the Coral Gold Cup since Nicky Henderson in 2012/13 – he runs Colonel Harry, who has been well fancied by the best horse racing betting sites in the UK all week.
The worry I have, however, with him is the step up in trip to 3m2f – this will be by far the furthest he’s gone, with recent runs over 2m4f.
That said, Snowden’s winner from last year Datsalrightgino had also only raced over 2m 4f in the past.
23 Of The Last 25 Coral Gold Cup Winners Aged 8 or Younger
Broadway Boy, Senior Chief and Kandoo Kid for Paul Nicholls, who actually rode two winners of this race in the past, are others that have been popular in the market. While with 23 of the last 25 winners aged 8 or younger – this is a decent Coral Gold Cup age trend to have on your side.
With that in mind, my two horse racing predictions here are – GAILIA DES LITEAUX who is 8 and the 6 year-old VICTTORINO.
The former is from the Dan Skelton yard that won this in 2022 and having just got tapped for toe at a crucial stage last time out over 2m4f – I think the longer trip here will suit. He was also 8th in the Grand National last season.
Victtorino will run for the Venetia Williams team, who are also past winners of the Coral Gold Cup – landed the prize in 2021 and way back in 1998. This horse is back from a break but has gone well fresh before – including winning first time out last season at Ascot.
He’s still only 6 so will have more to come and having won over 3m, this trip looks within range now he’s maturing.
I’ve also got the key Coral Gold Cup trends for the big race here.
3:35 Newbury: Coral “Pipped-At-The-Post” And Win Handicap Chase (For The Jim Joel Memorial Trophy) (Gbb Race) Cl2 (4yo+ 0-145) 2m½f ITV
Imperial Saint will be popular here after another easy win – again at Aintree, but is also up 10lbs for that.
Petit Tonnerre ran Imperial Saint close two runs back at Aintree and is 12lbs better off now which makes him interesting – but is also winnless from his last 16 outings, so is overlooked based on that.
Etalon needs to bounce back from coming last in the Haldon Gold Cup last time – but the Paul Nicholls team have a good record in this race (6 from 22) and so their Beau Balko has to be on the shortlist.
However, the two horse racing predictions I like here are PRINCE QUALI and ISSAR D’AIRY.
The former heads here having improved to win his last two races – both at Chepstow and will love the softer ground.
Is up just 6bs more here and can be expected to have improved over the summer. While the form of that last win looks solid with the likes of Sans Bruit, Dr TJ Eckleburg and Calico all winning since.
Issar D’Airy is a CD winner here should strip fitter for running second at Ascot last time out to the improving Martator. The 8th that day Madara has since run 4th in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Martator winning again last weekend.
Horse Racing Predictions at Newcastle: Sir Gino and Mystical Power Face-off In Fighting Fifth Hurdle
2:10 Newcastle: BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m ITV
Get your coins out ready to flip as the 2024 renewal of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle looks a shootout between Sir Gino and Mystical Power – two of the most promising young 2 mile hurdles in training.
It will be one of the shocks of the weekend if one of this pair isn’t winning, but you don’t need me telling you that.
Mystical Power has won four of his five hurdles starts – with his only loss when coming second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last season. He’s bounced back since to win at Aintree and Punchestown – beating Firefox both times.
He’ll be looking to give trainer Willie Mullins his first win in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle – with his best previous finishing third (twice) with Wicklow Brave (2015) and Arctic Fire (2014). Mystical Power is also the top-rated in the field (154).
In short, it’s hard to put anyone off either – but SIR GINO is a horse I’ve liked a lot and even though it was bad luck for him missing out at Cheltenham last season, he came back out to win at Aintree – beating the Triumph Hurdle runner-up Kargese by just over 3 lengths.
Sir Gino also impressed in a recent racecourse gallop at Newbury and comes from the all-powerful Nicky Henderson yard – who have won this race eight time and more than anyone else. That’s good enough for me, but if you are in the Mystical Power camp, I can also see why.
3:20 Newcastle: BetMGM Rehearsal Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m7½f ITV
Many familiar faces here including Bowtogreatness and Elvis Mail – who were both good winners last time out.
However, the trends for the Rehearsal Chase tell us that ALL of the last 19 winners came here having NOT won their most recent outing.
Donny Boy has been popular in the market, but despite being consistent is yet to win a race over fences (8 runs), which is not ideal. While the same can said for The Changing Man (6 runs), but was still travelling well when falling in the Badger Beers last time at Wincanton
Anglers Crag was in top form last season with four wins but was last seen pulling up in the Scottish National having bled, so I’d prefer to keeping a watching brief with him – despite Brian Ellison often doing well with his chasers at the track.
The three of interest though are Frero Banbou, Jet Plane and Marble Sands. All look to have fair claims.
Venetia Williams Eyes Repeat Win
Of the trio, the Venetia Williams yard won this race 12 months ago and their FRERO BANBOU is interesting and starting to look well handicapped off 127 (last win 134). But that last win was 17 runs ago – however, might still be worth a saver with a light weight if ridden to get the trip.
Marble Sands stayed on well to beaten one of the Coral Gold Cup fancies Colonel Harry last time at Carlisle and is off the same mark (146) – but is yet to win beyond 2m4f.
JET PLANE returned last month to run a fine third at Wetherby over 2m4f to the promising Jagwar but has won over 3m 2f in the past so the return to this longer trip will be a plus. The form of that race also looks solid with the winner going in again and the 4th Vintage Fizz running well in the Grand Sefton (2nd) next time out.
Listen/Watch Andy Newton On The Final Furlong Podcast
SportsCasting’s Andy Newton joined Final Furlong Podcast host Emmet Kennedy and pro punter Peter Michael to cover the best of the horse racing action from Newbury, Newcastle and Fairyhouse this weekend.
Plus Andy also takes a look at the big Fairyhouse Winter Festival card on Sunday – where Lossiemouth and Teahupoo clash in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.
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Also get regular horse racing picks each day from leading industry expert Andrew Mount.
